‘NO 13th Amendment’ GL answers Ranil

External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris answers an oral question raised by the United National Party’s national leader and the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in parliament today (June 04) and reiterates that the so called ethnic or national issue should be approached via the Parliamentary Select Committee which was appointed for the purpose.

Ruling party stalwart Nimal Siripala de Silva voiced the same three days ago and this the External Affairs Minister said that the Freedom Alliance government’s stance is very clear and it does not provide police powers to any provincial council in the country.

The Opposition Leader quoting “media reports” in Parliament said that President discussed over the reconciliation with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their recent meeting in New Delhi. He said that the Indian Primer stressed on the early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment and going beyond to expedite the process of national reconciliation in a manner that meets the aspirations of the Tamil community for a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity in a united Sri Lanka.

External Affairs Minister Peiris refuting the statement that constitutional matters were discussed in depth said, “We made it crystal clear that devolution of police power is not acceptable.” He further added, “Only issues that are of mutual interest have been discussed at length. That is not practical and that is not suitable for a country like Sri Lanka.”

The PSC which was set up in November 2011 just continued with the attendance government side members and the Tamil National Alliance as well as the UNP were not positive over the moves and neglected the government’s pleas to nominate their representatives to the PSC.

FYI

G.L. Peiris claims ethnic or national issue should be approached via the Parliamentary Select Committee which was appointed for the purpose. What about the members of this committee are bias! Then what is the system to adopt to contest a decision, made by them!

He then goes onto state very clear that, no police powers will be allowed to any provincial council in the country. Why then we have a committee made of members who are corrupt and “yes” person to the Rajapakse. This situation cannot be allowed and to that end, every effort should be taken to avoid such a situation!